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Black Bear, and Blackwater Falls

 I spent the last four days in eastern West Virginia, in the Canaan Valley and vicinity. The first half of the trip involved participation in the annual meeting of the West Virginia Master Naturalists...

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Dolly Sods, West Virginia

As always, click the photo to enlargeSunrise from Bear Rocks, Dolly Sods, West Virginia. August 22, 2021. This mountaintop is an amazing place, and I was glad to finally experience it. Even though I...

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Chaparral State Nature Preserve a natural wonder of flora and fauna

The purple flower wands of spiked blazing-star at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve in Adams County/Jim McCormacChaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve a natural wonder of flora and faunaColumbus...

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Shorebirds, including the fantastic Wilson's Snipe

 I made a trip to the St. Marys Fish Hatchery last Wednesday, September 1, a place I have birded myriad times for many years. The hatchery is in western Auglaize County, Ohio, along the eastern shore...

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Hummingbird confronts fly!

On the long-term bucket list is photographing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at every major native plant nectar source with which the birds have an intimate co-evolutionary history. Thanks to a friend who...

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The Art of Conservation: Gallery exhibition and talk, October 1, Columbus, Ohio

I am pleased to collaborate with wildlife illustrator Juliet Mullett on a mixed medium exhibition featuring her original watercolor artwork, and my photography. The exhibit showcases 25 species of...

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Frugivorous birds plundering southern trees

 A Fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginicus) heavily laden with ripe fruit. This shrubby (small treelet, at best) member of the Olive Family (Oleaceae) is a close relative of ashes. It flowers in spring,...

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Rare ferns found in southern Ohio

 Hairy lipfern, on a remote sandstone ledge in Lawrence County, Ohio/Jim McCormacNature: Rare ferns found in southern OhioColumbus DispatchOctober 3, 2021NATUREJim McCormacAround 390,000 plant species...

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Cape May, New Jersey and vicinity

Just returned from nearly a week in and around New Jersey's southernmost point, Cape May. This area is a birding Mecca, renowned for spectacular migratory showings from many species of birds, and some...

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Mud Fiddler Crab

 A male Mud Fiddler Crab, Minuca pugnax, on a saturated tidal mudflat. Males have outrageously asymmetrical chelipeds (claws), and are beautifully tinted with turquoise-blue between the eyes, and on...

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Atlantic Ghost Crab: A fascinating decapod

A common but always interesting sight along the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey - and far beyond - is the Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata). They're well named, as the crab's sandy coloration and...

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The Gadwall: An underappreciated fowl

A drake Gadwall, Anas strepera, poses in a Cape May, New Jersey marsh earlier this month. This is an exquisite and highly detailed duck, and an underappreciated species. Note the intricate scaled...

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The interesting case of the Wall Lizard

A female (I assume) Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis, on - surprise, surprise - a wall.I visited Ault Park in Cincinnati on October 21, mostly to see the small colony of Cassius Blue butterflies that...

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Forster's Tern

A Forster's Tern, Sterna forsteri, rests on a rail overlooking fishy waters. Note the bird's deformed bill. Its lower mandible was damaged at some point. This tern is an adult, and at least 1.5 years...

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Delaware County parks levy, November 2 - vote yes!

The Olentangy River in southern Delaware County, near one of the new Preservation Parks' targeted acquisitions.On November 2, Delaware County voters have an opportunity to positively influence...

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Congrats, Delaware County Preservation Parks!

It's almost 11 pm on Tuesday evening, and I just checked local election results to see this. With 96% of the vote tallied, Delaware County Preservation Parks is showing 60% in favor of their...

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Fall foliage and landscapes

October 29 dawned a wet, cool, and misty day, so I took advantage and headed to southeastern Ohio and the beautiful Hocking Hills region. The main destination was Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve,...

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Nature: Fast, gravity-defying red squirrels would give Spiderman a run for...

A red squirrel de-husks a walnut in the writer's backyard/Jim McCormacNature: Fast, gravity-defying red squirrels would give Spiderman a run for his moneyColumbus DispatchSunday, November 7,...

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A hodgepodge of natural history

Hi all, and long time, no see! I've been lax in updating this blog, which I normally do once or twice a week. A number of speaking gigs, the final throes of a book project, a few large photography...

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Lunar eclipse of the "Beaver Moon"

 The moon, as it looked around 4 am this morning. At the peak of the eclipse, the earth's shadow darkened about 97% of the moon's visible surface.It was an impressive spectacle, and I'm glad I dragged...

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